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In a key strategic move ahead of both the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race, Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz are making separate visits to Iowa this week, signaling early positioning in the battle to succeed President Donald Trump.
Cruz will deliver the keynote address at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Annual Spring Kickoff on Friday. His speech, titled “Constitutional Courage — ‘Cruzing’ Toward Victory: A Roadmap for 2026,” comes at a pivotal moment for Republicans as they defend slim majorities in both the House and Senate. Cruz, who won the 2016 Iowa caucuses and finished second to Trump in that year’s primaries, has deflected direct questions about another presidential run but appears to be laying groundwork for a possible 2028 campaign.
“There will be plenty of time to make those decisions. I don’t have an announcement for you today,” Cruz recently told Fox News Digital when asked about his White House ambitions.
Meanwhile, Vance will visit Iowa on Tuesday, appearing alongside Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who faces a tough reelection battle in a competitive southwestern Iowa district. The trip marks Vance’s first vice-presidential visit to Iowa or New Hampshire, states that traditionally kick off the Republican presidential nominating process.
“He’s going to get a lot exposure and TV coverage,” noted veteran Republican strategist David Kochel, speaking about Vance’s Iowa stop.
Iowa looms large in both immediate and long-term Republican strategy. The state features three competitive House races plus hotly contested Senate and gubernatorial contests in 2026. This battleground status makes it an attractive destination for potential 2028 presidential candidates.
“Because of how competitive Iowa looks to be right now… there’s going to be a lot of money coming in and a lot of attention paid,” Kochel explained. “Because it’s Iowa, I think we’ll have a pretty healthy parade of 2028 potentials coming through to try to do what they can to help in the midterms. It’s the best excuse to come to Iowa and get to know people and get seen and road test some messaging.”
While Vance has publicly dismissed speculation about 2028 as “premature” and “disloyal” to Trump, he has assembled a political team that could quickly transform into a presidential campaign apparatus. Early polls position him as the front-runner for the 2028 Republican nomination, a status reinforced by Trump’s previous comments that Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as another potential contender, enjoying a surge in support thanks to his expanded responsibilities and public profile, particularly regarding U.S. operations in Venezuela and the Iran conflict. Rubio finished second to Vance in last month’s Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll for the 2028 nomination.
Trump has fueled speculation by lavishly praising both men, calling Rubio “the greatest secretary of state in history” and promoting a Vance-Rubio ticket as “unstoppable” without specifying who should lead it. For his part, Rubio told Vanity Fair last year, “If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.”
Nevertheless, Republican sources confirmed earlier this year that GOP donors supporting Rubio are quietly working to boost his political profile, creating tension within Trump’s political orbit.
“Vice President Vance is the future of the Republican Party and Marco Rubio is one of his closest friends in the administration,” said one operative close to Trump who requested anonymity. “The divisive stories from some donors trying to cause chaos are not helpful.”
Vance himself has addressed the situation, telling Fox News’ Martha MacCallum that “Marco is my closest friend in the administration” and dismissing media narratives about conflict between them.
Beyond Vance, Cruz, and Rubio, political observers identify several other potential 2028 Republican contenders, including Governors Ron DeSantis (Florida), Brian Kemp (Georgia), and Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Arkansas), former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Senators Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Josh Hawley (Missouri), and Rick Scott (Florida), Representative Byron Donalds (Florida), and possibly Donald Trump Jr., though the latter’s close relationship with Vance might prevent a White House bid in the next cycle.
As both the midterms and 2028 presidential race loom on the horizon, these early Iowa visits highlight the strategic importance of the state in shaping the Republican Party’s future leadership.
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5 Comments
Interesting to see these potential 2028 candidates positioning themselves early. Iowa is always a key battleground, so it makes sense for Vance and Cruz to visit and build connections there. I’m curious to see how their messages and campaigns evolve over the next few years.
Absolutely. The 2028 race is still a ways off, but the early positioning will be crucial. Both Vance and Cruz have national profiles, so it will be intriguing to watch them navigate the primary process.
While it’s still early, these visits to Iowa suggest the 2028 GOP primary could be quite competitive. Vance and Cruz both have strong conservative credentials, but their approaches and policy priorities may differ. Voters will have some interesting choices to consider.
Mining and energy issues are likely to be a major focus in the 2028 race, given their importance for the economy and national security. I’ll be interested to see how Vance and Cruz address topics like critical mineral supply chains, renewable energy deployment, and fossil fuel production.
Good point. Energy and natural resources will definitely be key campaign topics. Both candidates will need to articulate clear, actionable plans to address those challenges.